Debating renting a vehicle for our trip

[DisneyGuess]

We had decided to use DME since it is free & then jut use the Disney buses to get around, we're staying at ASMu.
I found a code for Budget & can get a minivan for $270, $380 with taxes, fees, etc. for our trip. We'll be there 9 days, 8 nights.
Is this a good deal for a minivan rental? Should I take it & not both with DME & the buses? I just want some seasoned opinions on this. Would we get to our resort faster than relying on ME?

TIA!

 

[walkdmc]

The ME issue might be a washout, depending on your timing. You could walk up to the ME and get right on, or you might have to wait for the next bus. We waited about 30 minutes for the ME to the Poly once. However, if you walk right up and onto the ME, you'll probably get to your resort sooner since you don't have to get your luggage. IMO, the time difference in getting to your resort shouldn't be the deciding issue, or even close.

You need to figure out if you prefer personal transport to the Disney system. The price you got seems decent, so it's a go for me on that count. Then, if you've never used your own car to get around Disney, it might be worth renting to see if you like it.

We rented a car on our last stay and I loved it. I don't like waiting for buses, wondering if we'll have to stand, or get a seat on this bus, or wait another 20 minutes for the next, etc. We've used cars on two trips and I wouldn't have it any other way. The parking is super convenient at all parks, except the MK and for that, we usually stay at a monorail resort anyway, so no opinion on that.

Try it once and see what you think. Also for a 9 day stay, it's possible you'll want to leave property once or twice....<gasp>.

 

[DisneyGuess]

The ME issue might be a washout, depending on your timing. You could walk up to the ME and get right on, or you might have to wait for the next bus. We waited about 30 minutes for the ME to the Poly once. However, if you walk right up and onto the ME, you'll probably get to your resort sooner since you don't have to get your luggage. IMO, the time difference in getting to your resort shouldn't be the deciding issue, or even close.

You need to figure out if you prefer personal transport to the Disney system. The price you got seems decent, so it's a go for me on that count. Then, if you've never used your own car to get around Disney, it might be worth renting to see if you like it.

We rented a car on our last stay and I loved it. I don't like waiting for buses, wondering if we'll have to stand, or get a seat on this bus, or wait another 20 minutes for the next, etc. We've used cars on two trips and I wouldn't have it any other way. The parking is super convenient at all parks, except the MK and for that, we usually stay at a monorail resort anyway, so no opinion on that.

Try it once and see what you think. Also for a 9 day stay, it's possible you'll want to leave property once or twice....<gasp>.

See, I haven't flown to Disney since I was a teen. We always drive. But with another child, we decided it wouldn't be that much more to fly this trip. So, I've always had my own transportation at Disney. I'm more concerned with buses to & from the parks & if we have a late night, not wanting to have to wait for 2 or 3 or more buses to come before we can get back to the resort. I've never had a code for a rental before, so wasn't sure if that was a good deal or not. I had looked at full price & said no way! It was around $750, so to me, that's almost 50% off.

So, maybe it's a good idea. Then we wouldn't have to worry about making ADR times or ordering from Garden Grocer, we could stop at WalMart on our way to the resort. & if we ended up needing more water, etc. we could just go get it & not worry about a cab or ordering again.

I can't imagine we'd need more than 1 full tank of gas for the week, not like we'd be driving long distances. Maybe I should just put it in the budget, lol.

 

[walkdmc]

I do think $350 for 9 days of minivan rental is decent. I was offered a "deal" that would've been about $400 for a weeks' rental of a minivan. I've forgotten where you're renting from but we had decent luck with Dollar Rental.

The ME is kind of fun for kids. It helps to get them hyped with a little video they play on the way. One option is for you to go get the rental, while the rest of the family gets on the ME. That way, they get the fun of the short bus trip and you get the convenience of not having to retrieve your luggage. You'd just stroll directly to the rental counter.

 

[DisneyGuess]

I do think $350 for 9 days of minivan rental is decent. I was offered a "deal" that would've been about $400 for a weeks' rental of a minivan. I've forgotten where you're renting from but we had decent luck with Dollar Rental.

The ME is kind of fun for kids. It helps to get them hyped with a little video they play on the way. One option is for you to go get the rental, while the rest of the family gets on the ME. That way, they get the fun of the short bus trip and you get the convenience of not having to retrieve your luggage. You'd just stroll directly to the rental counter.

Good idea. I could take the LO with me & drive while they go on the DME.
We're going thru Budget. I had already booked it while I debated, I didn't want to lose the deal, so I think I'm going to keep it & go with it. If nothing else, it will give me peace of mind if someone runs out of diapers, gets sicks, etc. & we can plan a bit better getting to the parks, ADRs, visiting the other parks to see the Christmas decor, etc.

Now, obviously we're staying onsite, so not trying to debate this, lol, not using it for free parking, I already have that. But, we have an ADR for breakfast at Cape May. I had planned on walking over to Epcot after breakfast, can we leave our car at the BC or need to move it to Epcot's lot?

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--officially you'll probably get a 3 hour parking pass. If you park any longrer than that, it's most likely at your own risk.

 

[DisneyGuess]

Well--officially you'll probably get a 3 hour parking pass. If you park any longrer than that, it's most likely at your own risk.

Maybe we'll just park at Epcot to begin with & walk over to BC & back afterwards!